Yuka Saso was on a mission after suffering two cuts in three outings.
The two-time LPGA of Japan Tour champion breezed through the first holes and ended well to take a share of the lead at the end of the first round of the 2020 Daio Paper Elleair Ladies Open at the Elleair Golf Course Matsuyama, Ehime.
Starting at the back nine, Saso was blazing at the onset. The 19-year-old rookie took the first four holes of the round on birdies en route to taking the first nine at 4-under 32.
Two more birdies in the fourth and her last of the day, the ninth, ended her round at 6-under 65 at the par-71 course for a share of the lead.
The Japanese pair of Yuna Nishimura and the latest tour winner, Ayaka Furue, crowd Saso on top of the leaderboard of the four-round tournament.
Saso looks to keep her place both in the points ranking and money board as this tournament is the last one before the season-ending JLPGA Tour Championship Ricoh Cup.
The 2018 Asian Games gold medalist just earlier clinched a berth at the 2020 US Women’s Open, along with Asiad teammate Bianca Pagdanganan.
